Kaleidoscope

ABSTRACT

A kaleidoscope is provided having an object enclosure containing a multiplicity of pattern producing objects mounted to one end of a tubular body section. The enclosure is mounted so that the objects are presented along the end of the body section in a plane which is perpendicular to the plane of the body section. In one embodiment, the object enclosure is transparent and the pattern producing objects appear in two parallel planes simultaneously, both parallel planes being perpendicular to the plane of the body section, giving an unusual three dimensional effect to the illusionary kaleidoscope image.

United States Patent 1 1 Forsee 1451 Sept. 4, 1973 KALEIDOSCOPE [75] lnventor: R0bertF0rsee,Columbia,Mo.

[73] Assignee: Steven Manufacturing Company, Hermann, Mo.

[22] Filed: Mar. 10, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 233,630

52 US. C1. 350/5 51 1m. 01. G020 27/08 [58] Field of Search 350 4, 5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,514,178 5/1970 Toney 350/5 x 1,078,008 11/1913 Stough.. 350/5 3,039,356 6/1962 1010161 350/5 2,583,676 1/1952 Wendel 350/5 3,383,150 5/1968 Powes 350/5 Primary ExaminerSamuel S. Matthews Assistant ExaminerMichael Harris Att0meyPhilip B. Polster et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A kaleidoscope is provided having an object enclosure containing a multiplicity of pattern producing objects mounted to one end of a tubular body section. The enclosure is mounted so that the objects are presented along the end of the body section in a plane which is perpendicular to the plane of the body section. in one embodiment, the object enclosure is transparent and the pattern producing objects appear in two parallel planes simultaneously, both parallel planes being perpendicular to the plane of the body section, giving an unusual three dimensional effect to the illusionary kaleidoscope image.

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to kaleidoscopes and in particular to a novel method and structure for presenting a plurality of pattern producing objects to the image forming end of a kaleidoscope.

Kaleidoscopes of various forms and embodiments are well known in the art. In general these prior art devices include a tubular body part having an eye piece at a first end and a rotatable head at a second end. The body part has a V-shaped reflector mounted in it which runs between the eye piece and the second end. The V- shaped reflector itself generally defines a second opening along the second end, as the field of vision observed through the eye piece is restricted along the reflector. The head conventionally includes a section containing a large number of pattern producing objects. Conventionally, the pattern producing objects rotate with the head in a plane parallel to the plane of the second end of the tubular body part. As the section rotates, the pattern producing objects tumble in front of the second opening. The real image observed there is combined with the mirror images obtained from the reflector to produce the well know illusionary image of the eye piece. The tubular body part commonly is a cylindrical section. This particular shape is common in the prior art because it facilitates manufacture in that the head need be only slightly larger diametrically than the body section for proper intermounting.

Numerous attempts have been made to vary the image observed through a kaleidoscope. For example, the patent to Powers, among others, U.S. Pat. No. 3,383,150, issued May 14, I968, attempts to improve the image formed by suspending the objects in a liquid. While such prior art efforts work well for their intended purposes, they possess inherent disadvantages. Thus, certain of the devices are difficult and expensive to manufacture. Others, while lower in manufacturing cost, do not provide depth of field as the image is viewed through the eye piece.

My invention provides a novel structure which rotates the pattern producing objects in a plane perpendicular to or toward the plane of the body section along the end where the real image is exposed to the reflector. The preferred embodiment utilizes a transparent section for the pattern producing objects. Consequently, two distinct sets of objects come before the opening of the bodysection simultaneously. The effect of the eye piece is an unusual three dimensional design heretofore unobtainable in kaleidoscopes of the prior art.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a kaleidoscope having a three dimensional image.

Another object of this invention is to provide a kaleidoscope wherein the pattern producing objects are rotated in a plane perpendicular to the image forming end of the kaleidoscope.

Another object of this invention is to provide a low cost kaleidoscope device.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a kaleidoscope having movement of pattern producing objects toward or away from the vertex of a V-shaped reflector.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved structure for mounting pattern producing objects to a tubular structure.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a kaleidoscopic device construction which facilitates use of a variety of geometric shapes for the tubular body section of the device.

Other objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the following description and accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, generally stated, a kaleidoscope is provided with a rotatable section containing a multiplicity of pattern producing objects. The head section is mounted to permit rotation of the head section in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the body portion of the kaleidoscope.

In the preferred embodiment, the object containing section is transparent and is compartmentalized, each compartment containing a plurality of pattern producing objects. Two compartments of objects are presented simultaneously to the viewer. The mounting means between the object containing section and the body portion permits use of a variety of geometric configurations for the kaleidoscope body portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a view in perspective illustrating an illustrative embodiment of the kaleidoscope of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the kaleidoscope shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a view in side elevation, simplified to illustrate a single side of the object containing section of the kaleidoscope, taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a view of mounting means utilized in conjunction with the object containing section shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an illustrative example of a pattern producing object;

FIG. 11 is a view taken along the line 1 1- ll of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a view in side elevation showing a second illustrative embodiment for the object containing section of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line 13-13 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line 14-14 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line 15-15 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along the line 16-16 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates the kaleidoscope of this invention. Kaleidoscope 1 includes a body member 2, mounting means 3 and an enclosure 4.

Body member 2 is a hollow, generally rectangular tubular structure having opposite side walls 8 and 9, a top and a bottom 11. The member 2 initially is open ended, terminating along a first end 5 and a second end 6. A reflecting device 7 is inserted within body member 2 and is frictionally engaged along the side walls 8 and 9 of that structure. Reflecting device 7 is conventional and commonly is constructed from sheet metal and formed into a V-shape. Reflecting device 7 extends substantially along the axial length of the body member 2 from and between ends 5 and 6. Body member 2 may be constructed from a variety of materials. Cardboard, for example, works well. Decorative designs, not shown, or other information may be printed on the body member 2.

End 5 has an eye piece 12 closing it. Eye piece 12 is conventional and includes a wall 13 having a flange 14 extending about its perimeter, as is best illustrated in FIG. 5. The wall 13 has an opening 15 through it. The opening 15 is positioned so that the line of sight of an observer is restricted. That is, observation through member 2 from the end 5 is restricted along the reflecting device 7. Flange l4 initially is substantially flat but is coined over to engage the sides 8 and 9, top 10 and bottom 11 of body member 2, thereby closing the end 5 and fixing the eye piece to kaleidoscope 1.

Enclosure 4 is donut shaped, having a first side wall 16, a second side wall 17, a cylindrical top wall 18, and a cylindrical bottom wall 19. The walls 18 and 19 are coaxial, delimiting a chamber 20 between them. The chamber 20 is divided into a plurality of compartments 50 by a series of separators 21. The separators 21 extend from and between side 16, side 17, and between top 18 and bottom 19 in the embodiment illustrated. Other embodiments of my device may utilize separators which only partially divide the chamber 20. The compartments 50 are intended to contain a plurality of pattern producing objects, 51, which are conventionally used in kaleidoscopes. A quantity of bits and pieces of colored plastic works well, for example. However, nearly any material or shape will do. An illustrative example of one such object is shown in FIG. 10.

A series of spokes 22 extend radially inwardly from both sides 16 and 17 of the enclosure 4. The sides 16 and 17 are identical and a single side 16 is illustrated in FIG. 7 and discuss in detail. The spokes 22 meet at a central hub 23. The hub 23 has an opening 24 through it. Side 16 has a series of decorative openings 25 between adjacent spokes 22, hub 23, and an outer rim 52. The radial depth of rim 52 is chosen so as to be coextensive with the radial distance defined by the concentric ends of the top 18 and bottom 19. That is, rim

7 52 must close the ends of the coaxial top 18 and bottom 19. In order to place objects 51 in the compartments 50, at least one of the sides must be removable from the enclosure. I find it preferable to form side 17, top 18, bottom 19 and separators 21 integrally, positioning the side 16 after placement of the objects 51. The hub 23 has an annular extension 26 along one face of it, extending perpendicularly therefrom, best seen in FIGS. 13 and 14, which functions as a bearing support for mounting means 3, described below.

Mounting means 3, in the embodiment illustrated, comprises a pair of fasteners indicated by the numerals 27 and 28. Fasteners 27 and 28 are mirror images of one another, and only a single fastener 27 is shown in the drawings and described in detail. Fastener 27 includes a broad back 29 having a first side 45 and a second side 46. Back 29 includes an arcuate end 30 and a rectangular end 31. The end 31 has a pair of arms 32 and 33 formed integrally with it, which extend perpendicularly from side 45 of back 29. The sides 32 and 33 may vary in axial length and width, but in the embodiment shown, are designed to mount enclosure 4 to the end 6 of body member 2. Toward that objective, end 31 of back 29 has a nub 34 extending perpendicularly from it, on side 45 of the back 29, parallel to the arms 32 and 33. Nub 34 is a cylindrical section designed for mounting within an opening in body member 2, not shown. Nub 34 extends through the series 8 and 9 of member 2 and effectively attaches each fastener 27 and 28 to the member 2. Also formed along rectangular end 31 is a viewer wall 35. As is best seen in FIG. 11, viewer wall 35 defines one half of a triangular opening indicated generally by the numeral 36. Joining the fasteners 27 and 28 in their intennounted position completes the triangular opening 36. The opening 36 is sized to subtend and abut the reflecting device 7 along the end 6 of body member 2. As is best illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, viewer wall 35 closes the end 6 of member 2, except for the opening 36.

Arcuate end 30 of fastener 27 has an opening 37 in it. The opening 37, besides serving a decorative function, admits light along the entire bottom 19 of the enclosure 4. Arcuate end 30 has an axle 38 formed perpendicularly and integrally with the side 45 of back 29. Axle 38 is sized for intermounting with opening 24 of the hub 23 and the enclosure 4 is free to rotate about the axle 38 in the combined position of the parts illustrated in FIG. 1.

Arms 32 and 33may be provided with a lip 39. The lip 39 acts tongue and groove fashion and permits a smooth seal between the fasteners 27 and 28. Some form of epoxy or other adhesive may be utilized in conjunction with lip 39 to join the fasteners 27 and 28. While the fasteners were described above as mirror images, the lip 39 on each fastener is constructed for proper interlocking.

Construction of the device is simple. Although the preferred shape, as shown and described, is rectangular, essentialy any shape for body portion 2 is permitted. After body member 2 is manufactured, the reflecting device 7 is inserted as described previously. The fasteners 27 and 28 are attached to each side of the enclosure 4 and the combination is placed over the end 6 of body member 2 and held positionally by the interaction of the nub 34 in body member 2. Eye piece 12 is then placed over the end 5 and coined over. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the order of assembly may vary.

When assembled, the field of vision is restricted along a line of sight defined by the opening 15 in the eye piece 12, along reflecting device 7 and through the opening 36 defined by the viewer wall 35 of the fasteners 27 and 28. It is observed, by reference to FIG. 15, that the viewer wall 35 exists and defines a plane 40. Prior art kaleidoscopes conventionally presented the pattern producing objects 51 in a plane parallel to the plane 40. That is, the objects 51 move left-right or right-left across the opening 36, as viewed in FIG. 15. This invention permits presentation of the pattern producing objects in a plane which, for purposes of this specification, is defined as perpendicular to the plane 40. That is, the pattern producing objects 51 move topbottom or bottom-top across the opening 36, again as viewed in FIG. 15, as the enclosure 4 rotates. Additionally, perpendicular plane movement across the opening 36 by enclosure 4 allows simultaneous presentation of objects 51 at different distances from that opening. Several factors contribute to this result factor. Because enclosure 4 is mounted remotely from body member 2, it may be constructed, and preferably is constructed, from a transparent material. The donut shape of the enclosure 4 and the openings 37 in the fasteners 27 and 28 admit much light about the end 6. The result at the eye piece opening is a exceedingly vivid close image superimposed over a more muted deep image.

Numerous variations, within the scope of the appended claims, will occur to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Thus, the shape of the enclosure 4 and body member 2 may be varied. Likewise, the mounting means 3 may be adapted to conform to any shape for the member 2. The enclosure 4 may be given an offset pivot point and an illustrative embodiment is indicated generally by the reference numeral 60 in FIG. 12. Likewise, the enclosure 4 may be mounted to pass obliquely or athwart the plane 40, the terms obliquely and athwart indicatinG planes other than those parallel to the plane 40, and all such planes, other than planes parallel to the plane 40 described herein are intended to be emcompassed by the appended claims. Thus, the mounting means 3 may be rotatably mounted to the body member 2. Rotation of mounting means 3 would vary the position of the enclosure 4, enabling presentation of pattern producing objects in a number of planes. The number of compartments 50 may be changed, or the design of separators 21 may be varied. While I prefer a transparent material for enclosure 4, other embodiments may utilize translucent or opaleseque material, for example. Various elements of the kaleidoscope described herein as distinct components may be constructed integrally with one another. These variations are merely illustrative.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a kaleidoscope having a body member, said body member having a opening therethrough corresponding to the field of view of for said kaleidoscope, the improvement which comprises a transparent annulus mounted to be rotated about an axis extending across said field of view, said annulus having an axial opening through it and including a first wall, a second wall coaxially positioned with said first wall to define a chamber therebetween, said annulus positioned to expose to view two spaced segments of said chamber, said segments being on opposite sides of said axial opening.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said chamber is divided into compartments by a plurality of radial walls extending from and between said first and said second walls.

3. In a kaleidoscope having a body member, said body member having an axial opening through it, refleeting means disposed about said axial opening, and a view line axis for said kaleidoscope passing through said axial opening, the improvement which comprises an annulus mounted for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said view line axis and positioned simultaneously to present a first composite real and illusionary image and a second composite real'and illusionary image, one of said first and said second images appearing to converge and the other of said first and said second images appearing to diverge as said annulus is rotated,

said annulus having at least one axial opening through it for admitting light rays between said first and said second images.

4. A kaleidoscope comprising:

a body member having a first end and a second end, said body member having an axial opening between said first and said second ends, said first end including an end wall closing said first end, said end wall having a view opening in it aligned with said axial opening;

reflecting means disposed about said axial opening adapted to provide an illusionary and a real composite image at said view opening;

means for rotatably mounting an object enclosure to said second end of said body member, said mounting means including a pair of oppositely opposed arms attached to said body member;

a transparent annulus rotatably mounted to said body member by said mounting means, said annulus having an axial opening through it and including a first wall, a second wall coaxially positioned with said first wall to define a chamber therebetween, a pair of end walls closing said chamber, said annulus being positioned so that at least two segments of said chamber, on diametrically opposite sides of said axial opening, appear in the image provided at said view opening;

a first plurality of pattern producing objects contained in one of said two segments of said chamber; and

a second plurality of pattern producing objects contained in the other of said two segments of said chamber. I

5. A kaleidoscope comprising:

a body member having a longitudinal axis and, a

length along said axis, a width, a first end and a second end, said first end including an end wall closing said first end, said end wall having a view opening in it;

an axially disposed sight opening in said body member aligned with said opening in said end wall;

reflecting means disposed about said sight opening adapted to provide an illusionary and a real composite image at said view openings;

means for rotatably mounting an object enclosure to said second end of said body member, said mounting means including a pair-of oppositely opposed arms attached to said body member, each of said arms having at least one opening in them for admitting light inwardly along an axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis through said second end of said body member; and

a transparent object enclosure annulus mounted for rotation about an axis extending parallel to longitudinal axis by said mounting means, said annulus having a width and a depth, the width of said annulus being equal to or less than the width of said body member, said annulus positioned to expose to view two discontinuous diametrically spaced segments of said annulus.

6. The kaleidoscope of claim 5 wherein said transparent annulus has an axial opening through it and includes a first wall, a second wall coaxially positionedwith said first wall to define a chamber therebetween, said chamber being divided into compartments by a plurality of radial walls extending from and between said first and said second walls, at least two of said comand end of said body member is formed integrally with said body member.

9. The kaleidoscope of claim 8 wherein said mounting means includes a wall having a triangular opening in it, said wall closing said second end of said body member. 

1. In a kaleidoscope having a body member, said body member having a opening therethrough corresponding to the field of view of for said kaleidoscope, the improvement which comprises a transparent annulus mounted to be rotated about an axis extending across said field of view, said annulus having an axial opening through it and including a first wall, a second wall coaxially positioned with said first wall to define a chamber therebetween, said annulus positioned to expose to view two spaced segments of said chamber, said segments being on opposite sides of said axial opening.
 2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said chamber is divided into compartments by a plurality of radial walls extending from and between said first and said second walls.
 3. In a kaleidoscope having a body member, said body member having an axial opening through it, reflecting means disposed about said axial opening, and a view line axis for said kaleidoscope passing through said axial opening, the improvement which comprises an annulus mounted for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said view line axis and positioned simultaneously to present a first composite real and illusionary image and a second composite real and illusionary image, one of said first and said second images appearing to converge and the other of said first and said second images appearing to diverge as said annulus is rotated, said annulus having at least one axial opening through it for admitting light rays between said first and said second images.
 4. A kaleidoscope comprising: a body member having a first end and a second end, said body member having an axial opening between said first and said second ends, said first end including an end wall closing said first end, said end wall having a view opening in it aligned with said axial opening; reflecting means disposed about said axial opening adapted to provide an illusionary and a real composite image at said view opening; means for rotatably mounting an object enclosure to said second end of said body member, said mounting means including a pair of oppositely opposed arms attached to said body member; a transparent annulus rotatably mounted to said body member by said mounting means, said annulus having an axial opening through it and including a first wall, a second wall coaxially positioned with said first wall to define a chamber therebetween, a pair of end walls closing said chamber, said annulus being positioned so that at least two segments of said chamber, on diametrically opposite sides of said axial opening, appear in the image provided at said view opening; a first plurality of pattern producing objects contained in one of said two segments of said chamber; and a second plurality of pattern producing objects contained in the other of said two segments of said chamber.
 5. A kaleidoscope comprising: a body member having a longitudinal axis and, a length along said axis, a width, a first end and a second end, said first end including an end wall closing said first end, said end wall having a view opening in it; an axially disposed sight opening in said body member aligned with said opening in said end wall; reflecting means disposed about said sight opening adapted to provide an illusionary and a real composite image at said view openings; means for rotatably mounting an object enclosure to said second end of said body member, said mounting means including a pair of oppositely opposed arms attached to said body member, each of said arms having at least one Opening in them for admitting light inwardly along an axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis through said second end of said body member; and a transparent object enclosure annulus mounted for rotation about an axis extending parallel to longitudinal axis by said mounting means, said annulus having a width and a depth, the width of said annulus being equal to or less than the width of said body member, said annulus positioned to expose to view two discontinuous diametrically spaced segments of said annulus.
 6. The kaleidoscope of claim 5 wherein said transparent annulus has an axial opening through it and includes a first wall, a second wall coaxially positioned with said first wall to define a chamber therebetween, said chamber being divided into compartments by a plurality of radial walls extending from and between said first and said second walls, at least two of said compartments, on opposite sides of said axial opening, adapted to appear simultaneously in the image provided at said view opening.
 7. The kaleidoscope of claim 6 wherein said compartments are interconnecting.
 8. The kaleidoscope of claim 6 wherein said means for rotatably mounting an object enclosure to said second end of said body member is formed integrally with said body member.
 9. The kaleidoscope of claim 8 wherein said mounting means includes a wall having a triangular opening in it, said wall closing said second end of said body member. 